Take No Quarter

by Desiree Holt

  “Descendants of the original brother who stayed in Mexico decided that the ranch actually belonged to them, and they wanted their share of the mineral rights.”

  Kenzi’s jaw dropped. “But that’s absurd. Alex’s ancestor bought it with his own money, right?”

  “Well,” Reed drawled. A corner of his mouth ticked up in a hint of a grin. “I suppose it depends on who you ask. Anyway, I had met him at a couple of major fundraising events, he had just fired the attorney he had, so we arranged a meeting. We’ve handled everything for him since then. You recall when I briefed you on this?”

  “Yes. This firm is really set up for what he needs.” Kenzi ticked things off on her fingers. “The Reyes family has really branched out in the last couple of generations as current descendants saw the wisdom in creating a consolidated entity. Real estate. Buying and selling herds. Land development. You name it. And now Reyes is branching out internationally.”

  Reed nodded. “Both he and his brother, Antonio, although he is the point person. That’s why setting this up is so tricky. You can make or lose a mint in the exchange rate of foreign currency, not just with the United States but between the other countries. So, we’re setting up this conglomerate to always give the most favorable rate of exchange. That’s why one of the businesses will be to handle the currency.”

  ‘Whew!” Kenzi tucked her hair behind one ear. “It also means, with different regulations in different countries, we need to get it right the first time.”

  “That’s the idea.” He saved the document on his laptop and closed it down. “But like I said earlier, I think we’ve pushed as far as we can today. I need to ask Señor Reyes some questions before he leaves town for a couple of days and we both need to give our brains a rest. Let’s let it rest over the weekend.”

  “I can’t say I’m sorry to hear that.” She shut down her own laptop.

  “You know, Kenzi, I know I mentioned this before. The partners and I have our eyes on you. Once this project is completed, signed off on and in place, there just might be a step up the ladder in your future.”

  She tried to quell the little thrill of excitement that wriggled through her.

  “You know I love this firm and always try to do my best for our clients.”

  “I do. We all do. And you have a sharp mind for complex situations like this. I promise we’ll be discussing this before too long.”

  “Thank you for your faith in me.”

  Reed rose from his chair. “I’m going to make a couple of calls, but you need to get on out of here. You’ve given us enough of your Saturday. Is there someone exciting waiting to spend the weekend with you?”

  How did she explain Trey to him? A hot, sexy soldier who tunes up my hormones and makes me lose my mind in bed? It wasn’t as if it was anything serious.

  “I, uh, have a friend in town for a few days. We’ll probably hang out together.”

  “Good. Have fun. See you on Monday.”

  When she checked her phone, she discovered another text from Deandra.

  Can you talk?

  Later. Everything okay? Any bad news from last night?

  After a moment a smiling emoji appeared followed by a response.

  Smiled and laughed a lot. Fun guys.

  She hit the button to call Deandra.

  “Couldn’t stand not asking?” her friend laughed.

  “I know Trey will ask me if they behaved and if you’d like to go out with either of them.”

  “So men gossip, too?”

  Now it was Kenzi’s turn to laugh. “Of course they do, although they’d die if we nailed them on it. So, what do you think? What should I tell Trey?”

  “If you can do it diplomatically, while they are both great, I think I’d have more in common with Brock. Not that either of us would be looking for more than a fun time.”

  “Then that’s what I’ll tell him. Gotta go. Catch you later?”

  After she hung up she sent a quick text to Trey telling him to pick her up then headed for the elevator, aware that Reed was on his way to his office. By the time he reached the end of the corridor his cell was to his ear and he was already deep in conversation. If ever someone needed to relax, it was him.

  She had just signed out in the lobby and stepped into the street when Trey pulled up to the curb, sliding the car into a parking space luckily just being vacated. She tossed her laptop into the back, hopped into the passenger seat and blew out a breath.

  “Tough morning?” Trey asked.

  “Mentally stressful, but only because what we’re working on is so complex. I really feel honored he has me working on this with him.” She undid the clip from her hair and raked her fingers through the loose strands. “He hinted there could be big things in store for me when we finish with this project.”

  “Yeah? That would be great, right?”

  “You know it. Maybe a junior partnership. It would have to be non-equity because I don’t have the bucks for the buy-in. At least not right now.”

  “Sounds exciting. You can explain all that to me over lunch. But first, this.”

  He leaned across the console, cupped her chin so he could turn her face toward him and pressed his mouth to hers. She opened for him at once, welcoming the smooth feel of his tongue and the flavor of him. He stroked the inside of her mouth then gently slid his teeth over the surface of her own tongue. Heat surged through her body, stiffening her nipples and igniting the pulse that throbbed in her sex. She heard someone moan and realized the sound was coming from her.

  “Damn.” Trey broke the kiss, lifting his head just enough so he could lock his gaze with hers. “For a minute I was afraid the car would spontaneously combust. Holy shit, Kenzi.”

  A soft laugh bubbled from her mouth. From the first moment they’d had skin-to-skin contact, the air around them had exploded like an electrical storm. “I was sort of thinking the same thing myself.”

  “Listen.” He brushed a few strands of hair from her forehead. “My purely animal inclination is to say fuck everything else, take you back to your place and get us both naked.”

  “Sounds good to me.” She licked her lips, tasting the flavor of the kiss. Then a low rumble in her stomach ruined the mood.

  Kenzi giggled. “Sorry about that.”

  “No, no problem.” Trey laughed. “But I think I’d better feed you first. Anyway, I planned to take you to lunch on the Riverwalk, ply you with drinks and good food.” He lowered his voice. “Seduce all your senses.”

  “Mmmm.” She licked her lips again. “Sounds very good to me.”

  “I checked at the hotel and they recommended La Casita, on the Riverwalk.”

  “Ooh! I love that place.” And she did, with its colorful outdoor umbrella tables, the strolling mariachis and the servers in Mexican garb, but she frowned at him. “But, Trey, that place is pretty costly. I don’t need expensive meals.”

  He stroked her cheek with the tips of his fingers. “Kenzi, I spend most of my time in a barracks or on a mission. Where else am I going to spend my money except on a beautiful woman?”

  “In that case, what are we waiting for?”

  La Casita, while accessible from the street, also had an entrance directly on the Riverwalk, a collection of shops, restaurants and attractions bordering both sides of the narrow San Antonio River as it meandered through the downtown area. It was always busy, the crowds an eclectic combination of residents, tourists and business people.

  Trey parked in the structure wedged between the stairway down to the Riverwalk and a row of stores and cafes. The street entrance opened into the interior dining area, a nice blend of stucco walls and dark furniture, with tasteful prints and other artwork on the walls.

  “Inside or out?” Trey asked as they approached the hostess stand.

  “Outside. Definitely. I love it outside there, all the color and the sounds and the people.”

  The hostess smiled at them. “This way, then.”

  They followed her down a short flight o
f stairs to the outside area that was right on the walkway. Tables were shaded by colorful umbrellas and nearly every one of them was filled. While almost every place on the Riverwalk was busy on a regular basis, Saturday was the peak day of activity of the week. People, laughing and talking, moved along the path between the tables on their way from store to store, and at one end of the eating area the trio of mariachis was serenading a group of diners.

  They scored a table at the railing, right next to the river. From here they had a great view of the flat-bottomed river barges loaded with tourists taking the sightseeing trips and feeding crumbs to the ever-present pigeons.

  Kenzi raked her fingers through her hair, loosening it even more so it floated in silky strands to her shoulders. “I think the Riverwalk is my favorite place in this city. It always has such a happy feel to it.”

  Trey winked at her. “And I consider it part of my mission to make sure you’re happy.”

  “So far you’re doing a great job,” she assured him.

  “Yeah?” He winked. “Just wait until we get back to your place and you’ll see how happy I can make you.”

  Heat crept up her body and every pulse point throbbed in response. She couldn’t recall another man who’d aroused her the way Trey did, just with words and looks. She could hardly wait until they got home.

  Steady, girl. Remember. Like everything else, this has a short life cycle.

  And that was fine, but she planned to enjoy every minute of the best sex of her life while it lasted.

  They ordered drinks—a frozen margarita for her, beer for Trey—and sat back to study the menu. With the warmth of the sunshine, the slight breeze from the ancient trees that lined both side of the river and the faint strains of the music, Kenzi felt the tension of the morning’s concentration ease from her body.

  She reached across the table and touched Trey’s hand. “Thank you for bringing me here. This is just what I needed.”

  “I think they work you too hard at that office.”

  She laughed. “I’m sure they’d think they don’t work me hard enough. Life in a high-profile corporate firm is always on fast forward. Our clients pay very big bucks and they want everything yesterday.”

  He studied her face. “And you love it.”

  “I do. It’s what I wanted ever since I started reading books by John Grisham. And I’ve finally reached the point where I think pretty soon I’ll be moving to the partnership level. I hope.”

  “They should be grateful to have you.” There was nothing light in his tone, nothing teasing.

  His words gave her a warm, tingly feeing. She couldn’t remember the last time a man she’d dated had paid her that kind of compliment. What did that say about the kind of men she’d previously spent time with?

  “I know you’ve spoken with your sister since she’s been back,” Trey said. “How’s she doing? Still in New York?”

  Kenzi nodded. “That’s where the media conglomerate she works for is located and where her office is. That is, when she’s not running around all over the world getting kidnapped and such. And she seems to be doing okay.”

  “I hope she’s decided to walk away from that story on the cartel. Or at least dial it back for a while. We did a lot of damage when we rescued her. Combine that with everything she dug up and she’s probably still on their radar.”

  “I only wish.” Kenzi sighed. “She never listens to anyone. A big reason why she gets herself into big trouble while putting together the stories they pay her the big bucks for. She keeps telling me this will really establish her. The head honchos are talking about taking her series international and on both video and print.”

  Tray leaned forward, his gaze locked with hers.

  “These are some dangerous men she’s after,” he told her in a hard tone. “I can’t imagine any story is worth risking your life for this way. She should be grateful and give thanks that she got away this time. Next time she won’t be so lucky. Can you try to impress that on her?”

  “I’ll do my best. But honestly, Trey, she’s not one to listen to anyone. This is like a drug to her, which is why she gives me such high blood pressure when I think of what she’s doing.”

  “Try,” he urged again. “Okay? I’d hate to be taking you to her funeral.”

  Kenzi’s stomach clenched at the words. Dana had always been the reckless one, and Kenzi tried not to think too much about what she was doing.

  The waitress brought their drinks, along with the usual basket of warm tortilla chips, and Trey lifted his bottle of beer and touched it to her glass.

  “Then we have a lot to drink to,” he told her. “My guys behaving themselves and the success I know you’ll have. I truly believe you can achieve anything you want to.”

  She actually felt herself blush, heat creeping up her cheeks and warming her skin.

  “Um, thank you.” She took a swallow of the cool, tangy drink.

  “I think I’ll drink to the Huttons, too,” Trey added. “For having a great party and inviting you. And to Slade for getting the team an invite.”

  “It was lucky, wasn’t it?” she grinned. “I almost didn’t go.”

  “No kidding?” He lifted an eyebrow. “Then I guess luck really was with us that night.” He lifted the bottle again. “To luck. All good, for a change.”

  Kenzi took a moment to study the man across from her as he pored over the menu. He had a lean build, but it was all muscle—developed, she suspected, from a combination of grueling training and even more grueling missions. She knew, having run her hands over every inch of his body multiple times. His high cheekbones were set off by a square jaw, accented by what she and Deandra called a trimmed, five o’clock shadow beard. A well-tended scruff, at least when he was not out in the battlefield. His hair was the color of aged brandy, and behind sinfully thick lashes, his caramel-colored eyes seemed to see everything at once.

  Sex, she thought. Pure, unadulterated sex, that made her mouth water just from looking at him. There should be a law against it. She refused to think about what would happen when he left this time. She wasn’t a plan-ahead woman in her social life. The priority of her career blocked all of that. But damn, she didn’t think she’d be able to close the chapter on him as easily as she had on other men she’d been with.

  Just enjoy it. Don’t stress. You have enough of that in your life.

  “Do I have dirt on my face?” Trey’s voice, edged with humor, broke into her thoughts.

  “What?” She blinked, then held up her menu, embarrassed to be caught staring at him. “No, it was the pigeon on the rail next to you that caught my eye.”

  Trey lifted an eyebrow. “Upstaged by a pigeon? Okay, if you say so.” He paused. “I’m asking this just out of curiosity, but did your friend happen to mention if the idiots we left her with last night minded their manners?”

  Kenzi grinned. “Oh, you mean if they acted like assholes. Well, you can rest assured they were on good behavior. She said the kids actually behaved very well. She enjoyed them both.”

  “I’d say mostly because they didn’t want to piss you off.”

  “Me? Why would I get— Oh, because of us.”

  He nodded. “I’d hate to have to beat the crap out of them.”

  She thought for a minute, trying to figure out how to phrase her next statement.

  “Problem?”

  “No.” She shook her head. “Just hoping Axel won’t be upset when I tell you she thinks she clicked more with Brock. Not,” she hurried to say, “that there’s anything wrong with Axel. It’s just—”

  “Chemistry,” Trey finished for her. “I get it.”

  “Yes.” She sighed in relief. “She enjoyed both of them, although I think she has more chemistry with Brock. Will that be a problem?”

  “Not at all. Axel will step back without an argument. I think he might be just as happy hunting in the local watering holes, anyway. Listen, I’m sure no one’s looking for anything more than a great weekend here. They’re all adults
and can make their own choices. Tell her it’s all good.”

  “I will. Thanks.”

  “How about texting me her phone number so I can pass it along?”

  She sent him the info then took a bite of one of the tortilla chips and opened her menu. “So what appeals to you?”

  “Probably everything. How about you suggest something from the menu? You’re more familiar with what would be good, right? My knowledge of Mexican food is limited to tacos and burritos.”

  “Both of which can be a real treat if they’re properly done. But let’s see what we can find for you.”

  They placed their orders and were enjoying their second round of drinks when Kenzi’s gaze landed on two men being seated at a table tucked at the side of the restaurant.

  “There’s my client over there,” she told Trey, inclining her head toward the table. “The one in the grey suit.”

  “Isn’t it a little warm for a full-dress wardrobe?”

  “I think he lives in a suit, except maybe when he’s home at his ranch.” She frowned. “I thought he was out of town.”

  “Maybe his plans changed,” Trey suggested. “Does it matter?”

  She shook her head. “No, I guess not. I wouldn’t say this to anyone except you, but there’s something about him that turns me off. I just don’t like him. And I can’t even tell you what it is.”

  “How well does your boss know him?”

  “He’s been a client for years.” She took a sip of her drink. “In fact, I think he was the first important client the firm acquired. I don’t even know why I’m bothered by him. He’s just paperwork to me. Reed handles him personally.”

  Trey took a swallow of beer and set his bottle down. “Just out of curiosity, what are you doing for him that required you to spend half of Saturday at the office?”

  “A very complex corporate structure.” She munched on a tortilla chip. “I don’t know if I can explain it.”

  “Hey.” He held up a hand. “I know about confidentiality. Don’t sweat it.”

  She shook her head. “It’s not that. It’s just so complicated. He has a lot of businesses in this country beside his ranch. Which, by the way, has a whole section closed off where the mineral rights are being developed.”